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THE gymnasts of CHAOSS representing Bahrain returned from a regional competition in Dubai last weekend with their glittered heads held high, writes David Axtell.
Having lost a significant portion of their competition training time due to the recent disturbances in the kingdom, not to mention some team members and coaches, Team CHAOSS showed commitment and resolve to record several personal bests.
The competition venue, the Dubai Olympic Gymnastics Club, was packed with more than 100 competitors from four countries and seven clubs, all exhibiting their skills in a massive hall hosting five events simultaneously.
The finale to the competition was the Level 6 Open Category Girls floor routine. Bahrain’s Danielle Linton brought home gold in this category thanks to some stunning somersaults and flying flik-flaks. Danielle also collected bronze on the Beam.
However, it was the Harrison family that had the heaviest excess luggage on the journey home thanks to the medal haul acquired by sisters Katie and Hannah. Elder sister, Hannah, proved to be the queen of the apparatus, taking home Gold in the Level 6 Beam, along with Silver medals for the Vault and Bars, resulting in Silver in the Combined Category.
Younger sister, Katie, graced the floor with an elegant performance in the Level 5 Category that brought a well-deserved Bronze.
Also taking home medals for the Bahrain girls were Michaela Sandy (Bronze – Level 5 Bars), Isabelle Carey (Silver – Level 4 Beam), Aya Lazrack (Bronze – Level 4 Beam, Floor and Vault) and Charlotte Axtell (Bronze – Level 4 Floor).
Not to be outdone were the Level 4 boys. Competing for the first time, Anil Abi Farrage showed not only his upper-body strength but also strength of character to bring home Gold on the Pommel Horse and Bronze on the Vault, and thereby Silver overall. Eli Saghbini was not far behind in winning a Bronze on the Pommel.
The older, Level 5 boys, faced a much tougher task, being asked to compete in an Open Category against much older gymnasts. However, they stuck diligently to their task. Sami Taylor confirmed Bahrain’s expertise on the pommel Horse and brought home silver, with Paul Britton claiming Bronze.
All 33 gymnasts will have learned from their experiences and owe a huge debt of gratitude to the dedicated coaches, led by Cara, Debbie and Simona who also doubled as judges, without whom the trip would not have been possible. Monia also travelled to assist with the Level 3 and 4 girls while Mahmoud and Hussain, enjoying their first trip as coaches, managed the boys.
